Gov may sign bill
on hate crimes

The bill would give longer
sentences in hate-crime offenses

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By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

Saying that he doubts that hate crimes are a specific problem in Hawaii, Gov. Ben Cayetano still may sign a pending hate crimes bill.

The Legislature approved a bill that gives longer sentences for criminals "who select their victims because of hostility to their race, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation."

Cayetano told reporters yesterday he would consider the bill because it sends a message. Hawaii is one of six states that has not yet passed hate crime legislation.

Still, Cayetano said he might not approve the bill because he worried about "distinguishing one category from another."

"I frankly believe the laws we have in place are sufficient to protect everyone; the question is whether this is a problem we need to speak to," Cayetano said.

"It is like the equal rights amendment," he said. "I believe women have equal rights under existing law; however, we supported the equal rights amendment because it does make a statement about an issue which is very important to the nation and the community."

He added that he doubted that Hawaii had the same problems with hate crimes as other areas on the mainland.

"This is not the kind of place where you see gay people beaten up or killed or ostracized," he said.